Home · Cottocomephoridae · Baikal yellowfin
Baikal yellowfin (Cottocomephorus grewingkii) — Cottocomephoridae

Baikal yellowfin

Cottocomephorus grewingkii
LC · Least Concern

The Baikal yellowfin (Cottocomephorus grewingkii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cottocomephoridae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
20.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Baikal yellowfin is a slender, semi-pelagic sculpin of the family Cottocomephoridae reaching about 19 cm and endemic to Lake Baikal. Unlike most sculpins, which live on the bottom, this species swims freely in the open water; the brownish body has large pectoral fins and yellowish fins, to which the name refers. It lives semi-pelagically in the deep lake and near rocky shores and feeds on zooplankton, mainly amphipods, and on fish larvae. In spring it moves to shallow, rocky shores to spawn, where the male guards the clutch laid on stones. The Baikal yellowfin forms an important link in the lake's food web and is prey for the Baikal seal and for commercial fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Baikal yellowfin?

The Baikal yellowfin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Baikal yellowfin live?

The Baikal yellowfin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Baikal yellowfin get?

The Baikal yellowfin grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Baikal yellowfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Baikal yellowfin is harmless to humans.

Is the Baikal yellowfin edible?

Yes, the Baikal yellowfin is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Baikal-geelvin inferred
English name
Baikal yellowfin verified
Scientific name
Cottocomephorus grewingkii
Family
Cottocomephoridae
Other names
Baikal yellowfin; Blackmane; Yellow-fin Baikal sculpin; Yellowmane; Yellowwing verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cottocomephorus

More from the family Cottocomephoridae

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